Troubleshooting a New AMD-Based PC Build: From Success to Sudden Failure
Building a custom PC can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially when unforeseen issues arise. Recently, I assembled my first high-performance gaming and work rig featuring AMD components and encountered a perplexing problem that culminated in a complete system failure. This post aims to walk through the build process, initial success, the sudden onset of problems, and the troubleshooting steps taken — offering insights for fellow enthusiasts and professionals alike.
System Components
- Motherboard: Asrock B850 Steel Legend Wifi
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6000 32GB
- Graphics Card: Asrock Radeon RX 9070 XT
- Power Supply: Corsair RM850x White 850W 80+ Gold (FM ATX3.1, 2025)
The Build Experience
The assembly was completed collaboratively with an experienced friend on Saturday. Initially, the BIOS POSTed correctly, and a clean installation of Windows 11 was successful. After configuring the XMP profile (aimed at 6000 MHz memory speeds) and enabling memory context save, the system appeared to operate flawlessly.
On Sunday, I dedicated extended gaming sessions—specifically 16 hours of Final Fantasy XIV—running at high frame rates with CPU temperatures around 60°C, with zero issues. The system remained stable, indicating that basic hardware and cooling were functioning adequately.
Unexpected Software Updates and Emerging Issues
Overnight, I installed a Windows 11 security update. The following day, as I began my workday, some irregular behavior emerged:
- Lag during remote work: Noticed periodic latency while using Citrix Workspace and accessing a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
- Game disconnects: During short gaming sessions in World of Warcraft Classic, I experienced frequent disconnections (~5 seconds every 10 minutes). Suspected driver or network issues prompted extensive troubleshooting.
Process of Troubleshooting
- Network Diagnostics:
- Switched between Ethernet via Realtek adapter and Wi-Fi to isolate potential network hardware faults.
- Tested a mobile hotspot, which temporarily seemed stable.
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Contacted ISP; they suggested replacing the router but continued testing internally.
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System Freeze and Power Button Failures:
While gaming on the hotspot, the mouse and keyboard froze suddenly
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